Resveratrol Side Effects, Benefits, Dosage, and Research Information - My Resveratrol Experience

Are Western Medicine Doctors Accepting of Natural or Holistic Treatments?

The Debate On The Most Appropriate Course Of Action

Traditionally, doctors who practice Western medicine traditionally have not been too accepting of the value of holistic or natural medicine. The first issue that comes to mind is the ego of the individuals concerned. The Western doctors are determined to maintain their supremacy over the health matters of the community while the holistic and natural are determined to be part of the process even if this means that there is an increased likelihood for friction. This struggle will define the way that the different elements react to the research developments in the medical world. A large majority of Western Medicine Practitioners are frankly dismissive of anything that is outside their technical understanding.

Cardiologists Comment on Aspirin Versus Resveratrol

It is not often we see Medical Professionals speaking about the benefits of Resveratrol so openly.  In a press release earlier today, Doctors from the Advanced Cardiology Institute in Ft. Lee, New Jersey, spoke out about there use of suggesting resveratrol to their patients.  Here are a few excerpts and links to the article:

"With the realization that half of the people experiencing a sudden mortal heart attack were taking aspirin on the day of their demise, and the fact that higher-than-recommended doses of aspirin are needed to prevent blood clot formation in coronary arteries, coupled with an announcement that the red wine molecule resveratrol (rez-vair-ah-trawl) may protect from sudden mortal heart attack in a superior fashion to aspirin, suggests re-evaluation of cardiology's current instruction regarding prevention of heart attacks, says Nate Lebowitz MD, cardiologist with the Advanced Cardiology Institute in Ft. Lee, New Jersey."

"Dr. Lebowitz says resveratrol appears to exhibit broader action than aspirin. Resveratrol is documented to reduce clotting that may block blood circulation in coronary arteries, reduce homocysteine, an undesirable blood protein associated with cardiovascular disease, reduce markers of inflammation like C-reactive protein, regenerate vitamin E, as well as release adenosine, the molecule responsible for the "pre-conditioning" effect seen in animal experiments."

For more information you can read the complete article at PR Newswire.

Resveratrol Drug Interactions: A Little Common Sense Please!

There is no other way of saying this other than, "I am simply frustrated lately."  I am frustrated by what I see as a lack of simple common sense from people.  The numbers seem to be increasing, where as with the wealth of information that is available, the missing common sense equation should be going down.

We have all experienced this at one time or another (probably multiple times) and we often just sit in disbelief or shake our heads at how irresponsible people can be with their thought processes, or lack thereof.  While I am not trying to say I am the smartest person in the world (actually I am extremely far from it) I do like to think of myself as having a solid foundation of common sense.

In the nearly two years of writing this blog, My Resveratrol Experience, I have spoken to and read comments from thousands of people.  I love this part of blogging; getting to meet new people from all over the world with similar interests.  However, lately I have seen an increase in comments that I like to refer to as, "Are you kidding me!?!" moments.

The most common, "Are you kidding me!" comments have been related to people who have decided to take resveratrol along with any other prescribed medication without discussing this with their Doctor first.  Some people even have a list of medications they are taking.  Now if you have obtained prescribed medications then a fair assumption would be you also have a primary care physician as well.  So there is absolutely no excuse for not asking your doctor how resveratrol might effect you or interact with these medications.

Resveratrol's Popularity Hits the Mainstream!

Is the growth and popularity of resveratrol a good thing?

I was recently standing in the check-out line of a local convenience store when I heard the word "Resveratrol" from a conversation between two people in an adjacent line.  I could not make out exactly what they were talking about but this wasn't the first time I've heard the "word" used lately.

Since the airing of resveratrol segments on 60-Minutes, Barbara Walters, and Oprah, just about everyone has heard of the "Red Wine Miracle Substance."  I had to stop and ask myself whether or not this popularity was a good thing or not.

I took a look at both sides of the argument and came up with the following:

The Good... More people will have the ability to potentially benefit from Resveratrol.  More awareness means more people will most likely begin using it.

The Bad... People won't take the time to research exactly what they are putting in their bodies.  Their friend says take it so they do.

The Good... More and more Doctors are becoming aware of resveratrol which can ultimately make it safer for people to take.  Doctors who are aware can properly recommend, or not recommend, resveratrol based on their patience needs.  This means any negative drug interactions can be looked for and avoided.

Resveratrol & Calorie Restriction on the Oprah Show Today!

More positive press on Resveratrol helps spread the Good Word!

More main stream publicity today for our favorite supplement resveratrol. In case you missed it Dr. Oz was on the Oprah Winfrey Show today discussing Life Extension and Anti-Aging techniques that are currently available to us today.

In reach to most of us in anti-aging is two methods, one of which is calorie restriction, or CR for short. CR is a dieting method in which you take in about 30% less calories then your typical standard diet. By choosing highly nutrient low fat foods you can, in turn, eat less calories and still maintain a balance of sufficient nutrients in your body.  CR isn't about starving yourself, but is actually a strict diet that has shown to increase the lifespan of worms, mice, and monkeys.

Are humans next?  Many who are on the diet swear by its life changing effects. The problem is, and as we all know, maintaining a strict diet is difficult. So in a search to finding an alternative scientists have found resveratrol to act as a mimetic of a CR diet.

Integrative Medicine & Private Practices, the Future of Healthcare!

What do Doctors know about Resveratrol? What should they know?

Just a few days ago I was talking to a doctor friend of mine who I had not seen in a while. After the normal pleasantries I naturally brought up the subject of resveratrol.  It's not very often I get to ask a doctor about resveratrol so I was willing to take a shot with an old friend.

The conversation went something like this:

Me:  Have you heard of resveratrol and what do you think of it?

Doc: Resveratrol! Isn't that the supplement made from red wine that everyone is talking about?

Me:  Yes, sort of... it's not really made from red wine but traces of resveratrol can be found in it.

Doc:  Right, well all that stuff is crap.  How is drinking red wine which is full of alcohol going to make people healthy?  It's all just another marketing scam. There is no shot it does anything for people.

I spent the next 10 minutes attempting to explain some of the basis surrounding resveratrol research. The conversation ended without any convincing on my part of the doctor.

Needless to say I was taken back by the ability, or lack there of, from a medical professional not willing to think there is even a slight possibility resveratrol works.  I needed my faith in the trusty MD's to be restored so I made a call to another doctor friend of mine.  This conversation went much better:

Me:  What do you think of this "new" supplement resveratrol?

Doc #2:  It's funny you mentioned it, I just this past week had a patient ask me about resveratrol. Said she had been taking it for a few months and feels it is contributing to her weight loss.

Me:  Do you think it's contributing to her weight loss?

Doc #2:  Well it's possible, but I don't know enough about resveratrol to say whether it is or is not. She wasn't the first to mention it to me.  I've had a few patients over the past year or so ask me about resveratrol.  I guess it's time for me to look into it a bit further.

Me:  (big grin and faith restored)

I just knew not all doctors could be so closed minded.  In my opinion doctors have to be open-minded and at the very least willing to investigate alternatives.

This brings me to why I brought up these two conversations.  Western and alternative medicines do not need to be the equivalent of Democrats and Republicans.